_Humbug_ (Vol. vii., p. 631.).--Allow me to add the following to the list
of explanations as to the origin of this word. There appeared in the
_Berwick Advertiser_ the following origin of the word _humbug_, and it
assuredly is a very feasible one. It may be proper to premise, that the
name of _bogue_ is commonly pronounced _bug_ in that district of Scotland
formerly called the "Mearns."
"It is not generally known that this word, presently so much in
vogue, is of Scottish origin. There was in olden time a race
called Bogue, or Boag of that ilk, in Berwickshire. A daughter
of the family married a son of Hume of Hume. In process of
time, by default of male issue, the Bogue estate devolved on
one Geordie Hume, who was called popularly 'Hume o' the Bogue,'
or rather 'Aum o' the Bug.' This worthy was inclined to the
marvellous, and had a vast inclination to exalt himself, his
wife, family, brother, and all his ancestors on both sides. His
tales however did not pass current; and at last, when any one
made an extraordinary statement in the Mearns, the hearer would
shrug up his shoulders, and style it just 'a hum o' the bug.'
This was shortened into _hum-bug_, and the word soon spread
like wildfire over the whole kingdom."
How far this is, or is not true, cannot be known; but it is certain that
the Lands of Bogue, commonly called by country folk "Bug," passed by
marriage into the Hume family; and that the male representatives of this
ancient family are still in existence. This much may be fairly asserted,
that the Berwickshire legend has more apparent probability about it than
any of the other ones.